Saturday, April 19, 2003

Impressive new breeze in war reporting
THE SCOTSMAN, 19 APRIL 2003--AMID rockets’ bright glare, shells bursting in air, we knew from our screens that Rageh Omaar, the BBC’s Baghdad man was still there, unruffled by the fog and explosive impact of war.

While I believe war reporting lost an authoritative voice when Kate Adie, that booming Boadi-cea of the BBC’s battlefront reporting, was dropped in favour of, she claimed, younger and sexier front-line correspondents, I welcome a new, youthful-looking, impeccably-accented and incisively-delivering reporter to the front-line, mass-information echelons.

That he is Somali-born did not surprise me, a sun-dried, fly-stung, camel-bitten veteran of Somaliland’s deserts, because he seemed an older version of Yusev, a Somali lad, aged about six summers, who was gainfully employed as a punkah boy at British Army HQ, Hargeisa, when I was there in 1945-46, and resembled a cherub blowing wind in an old map. MORE



Somaliland incumbent president wins elections: electoral commission
MOGADISHU, 19 APRIL 2003 (Xinhuanet) -- The electoral commission of Somaliland announced Saturday that the ruling Udub party led by incumbent President Dahir Riyaleh Kahin has won the presidential elections held on April 14 in the breakaway republic.

Kahin got 205,595 votes, a slight majority against the opponent Kulmiye party, led by Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud Silanyo, which obtained 205,515 votes. The third party, U' id, got 77,433 votes.

And in percent wise, the victor, the Udub party, got 42,08%, while Kulmiye has got 42.07%, the electoral commission announced.

This means Kahin may remain in office in the next five years, while his deputy chairman in his party, Ahmed Yusuf Yasin, may become vice president.

Faysal Ali Warabeh, leader of U'id, told a press conference that he will collaborate with the new president, Kahin, and his administration, but it is not known yet whether Silanyo, leader ofKulmiye, will accept the results.

The electoral commission said the results are preliminary and the official results will be announced by the supreme constitutional court in 10 days.

"Usually, there comes no difference between the electoral commission and the court, but this is just a judicial procedure," said Ahmed Haji Ali Adami, chairman of the electoral commission. MORE
Somaliland President Wins Election by a Whisker
HARGEISA, 19 APRIL 2003(Reuters) - Somaliland's President Dahir Riyale Kahin was declared winner on Saturday of the first multi-party presidential elections in Somalia's breakaway enclave, beating his closest rival by just 80 votes.
The enclave's National Electoral Commission said Kahin received 205,595 votes, 42.08 percent of the those cast, against 205,515 votes, 42.07 percent of the total, for his main challenger, Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo.

"It's a historic success," Kahin told Reuters. "I thank the people not only for their vote, but also for holding it peacefully.

"My government will give priority to development and will seek (international) recognition."

Friday, April 18, 2003

SOMALIA: Human rights should be "at forefront" of peace talks - Amnesty
NAIROBI, 17 APRIL 2003 (AI)- The London-based rights group Amnesty International (AI) has called for human rights to be at forefront of discussions at the Somali peace conference now being held in Kenya.

In a statement issued this week, AI said a new interim government was likely to emerge from the talks within few months if obstacles to an agreement could be overcome. For that reason, "strong international support for human rights reconstruction is now needed more than ever".

The statement said that despite the Somali parties having signed a ceasefire agreement on 27 October 2002, there had been numerous violations, with many crimes going unpunished due to the absence of "a system of justice and policing". MORE

Thursday, April 17, 2003

SOMALIA: Human rights should be "at forefront" of peace talks - Amnesty
NAIROBI, 17 Apr 2003 (IRIN) - The London-based rights group Amnesty International (AI) has called for human rights to be at forefront of discussions at the Somali peace conference now being held in Kenya.

In a statement issued this week, AI said a new interim government was likely to emerge from the talks within few months if obstacles to an agreement could be overcome. For that reason, "strong international support for human rights reconstruction is now needed more than ever".

The statement said that despite the Somali parties having signed a ceasefire agreement on 27 October 2002, there had been numerous violations, with many crimes going unpunished due to the absence of "a system of justice and policing".
SOMALIA: Interview with UN Representative Maxwell Gaylard
NAIROBI, 17 APRIL 2003 (IRIN) - Maxwell Gaylard is the UN Resident Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia. He recently visited Mogadishu with high level representatives of other UN agencies to assess the humanitarian and security situation there. Here, he tells IRIN about the UN's work in the city and his meetings with the Transitional National Government (TNG), faction leaders and civil society. MORE


Somaliland poll 'transparent'
HARGEISA, 17 APRIL 2003 - South Africa's team monitoring Monday's presidential elections in northwest Somalia's breakaway republic of Somaliland has said the voting process was peaceful, orderly and transparent.

"Although technical difficulties were experienced by some polling stations visited, generally polling stations opened on time and voting got underway as planned and voters were enthusiastic and came out in large numbers, especially women, to cast their ballots," the team said.

"Overall, the voting process was peaceful, orderly and transparent," the team said in a statement released here on Wednesday.

"The counting of ballot papers was also rigorously transparent," the South African observers noted in their statement.

"We believe democracy was served by this exercise," the statement quoted mission leader Shannon Field as saying.

The statement added that the delegation was proud to have been associated with the people of Somaliland at "this historical juncture".

"We wish the people of Somaliland the very best for their future and we are assured that they will build on their stability and democracy," the statement concluded.

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

Calls to recognise Somaliland
HARGEISA, 16 APRIL 2003--An opposition leader in the breakaway republic of Somaliland, Faisal Ali Warabe, on Wednesday urged the international community to recognise his country following a peaceful presidential election.

"The undeclared sanction by the outside world against Somaliland is unfair and should stop, so that the elected president can enjoy a better relationship with the international community," said Faisal Ali, chairperson of the Justice and Restoration Party (Ucid).

Somaliland unilaterally declared independence from war-torn Somalia in May 1991, five months after dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was toppled, plunging the Horn of Africa country into anarchy.

Political observers here believe that the UCID would emerge last of the three parties that contested Monday's presidential elections, Somaliland's first.

"Whoever wins the election is recognized in the hearts and minds of our people, so please acknowledge our freedom," said Faisal Ali.

Borama-based Italian woman wins UNHCR award for work with Somalis
NAIROBI, 16 APRIL 2003 (IRIN) - The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has named an Italian woman as the winner of its annual humanitarian award for her work with displaced Somalis.

A UNHCR statement said Annalena Tonelli won the Nansen Refugee Award, "given to individuals or organisations that have distinguished themselves in work on behalf of refugees".

The statement quotes Commissioner Ruud Lubbers as saying the selection committee had chosen 60-year-old Tonelli "in recognition of her selfless dedication in the service of the Somali community, the majority of them returned refugees and displaced people".

Tonelli, who currently runs a 200-bed hospital in Borama, in the self-declared republic of Somaliland, has worked in Somalia for the last 33 years. She has set up clinics to fight tuberculosis, and raised awareness about HIV/AIDS and the harmful effects of female genital mutilation, the statement said.

Somaliland preliminary results due on Friday
NAIROBI, 16 APRIL 2003- The authorities in the self-declared republic of Somaliland are due to announce the preliminary results of Monday's presidential elections on Friday, according to a senior official.

The chairman of Somaliland's electoral commission, Ahmad Haji Ali "Adami", told IRIN that the commission was planning to release preliminary results by Thursday but "heavy rains have impeded results from coming in from outlying districts".

He said results from Hargeysa, the capital, were in, but "we are still waiting for the others. This has pushed back our timetable by at least two days", he said.

Adami said the voting had been "peaceful and orderly with not a single report of violence". He added that voter turnout had been heavy, with most of the estimated one million or so Somalilanders eligible to vote, casting their ballots.

He admitted, however, that there were problems in the disputed regions of Sool and Sanaag. He said voting was proceeding normally in some districts, but in others "it is not going very well because of security reasons".

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

An Analysis Of Elections In Somaliland
Ashenafi Abedje
VOA, 15 APRIL 2003--A Somali-born analyst says today’s presidential election in the breakaway republic of Somaliland represents yet more proof of stability in the self-declared republic.

Professor Said Samatar of Rutgers University says the election also sends a powerful message to the international community that, despite its fragility, Somaliland is capable of cleaning its house and maintaining itself. He says on the issue of recognition, he senses some flexibility on the part of the international community. He points to the presence of South African, West African and American observers at today’s election.

Regarding the war in Iraq, Professor Samatar says Somaliland exhibits what he calls a split personality, a sense of islamic solidarity with the Iraqi people, coupled with a cautious approach not to upset the United States.

In Monday's elections, President Dahir Riyale Kahin faces a strong challenge from two opposition candidates: Ahmed Muhammad Silaanyo of the Kulmiye Party, and Faisal Ali Warabe of the Justice and Welfare Party. Mr. Kahin succeeded the long-standing leader of Somaliland, Mohamed Egal, after his death last May.

Somaliland, a former British protectorate, declared independence from the rest of Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of the Siad Barre regime. The territory has yet to win any international recognition. Professor Samatar spoke with English to Africa reporter Ashenafi Abedje.


Monday, April 14, 2003

UN Blames Chaos in Somalia On $50m Kenyan Miraa [Khat] TradeKevin J. Kelley, Special Correspondent
NAIROBI, 13 APRIL 2003--AN AVERAGE of 10 flights a day from Nairobi's Wilson Airport carry khat (miraa) to Somalia, where sales of the stimulant help prolong the country's deadly chaos, a United Nations panel reported last week.

Kenya currently exports up to 7,000 tonnes of khat per year to Somalia and an additional 100 tonnes to Britain, the UN estimates.

That results in as much as $50 million in revenues for the Somali traders who dominate Kenya's khat trade.

Further proceeds come from textiles, electronic goods and other "cargo of opportunity" smuggled into Kenya on khat aircraft that would otherwise return empty from Somalia, the report says. These planes also fly passengers illegally into Kenya, "avoiding immigration by landing at uncontrolled strips or bribing officials."

Bluebird Aviation, which makes about 250 flights a month to Somalia, is described as the largest transporter of Kenyan khat.

Somaliland votes for its leader
HARGEISA, 14 APRIL 2003 (BBC)--People in in the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland have been voting, hoping the election could boost its attempts to secure international recognition.
Almost one million voters were expected to cast their ballots by the time polls closed at 1500GMT, in their first multi-party presidential election.

The current leader of Somaliland, Dahir Riyaale Kahin, is being challenged by candidates from two opposition parties.

Mr Kahin took office last year, following the death of the long-standing leader of the breakaway republic, Mohamed Egal, in May.

Voting underway in Somaliland's presidential poll
NAIROBI, 14 APRIL 2003 (IRIN) - Voters in the self-declared republic of Somaliland started casting their ballots in the breakaway region's first multi-party presidential elections on Monday.

The chairman of Somaliland's Electoral Commission Ahmed Haji Ali "Adami" told IRIN that voting was proceeding "very well" and there was a high turnout. Over a million Somalilanders are eligible to vote.

"Voting is very normal and very peaceful," he said.

He admitted however that there were problems in the disputed regions of Sool and Sanaag, where voting was proceeding normally in some districts, but in others "it is not going very well because of security reasons".

The two districts fall geographically within Somaliland, but most of the clans are associated with the neighbouring self-declared autonomous region of Puntland. The Puntland authorities have warned that they will not allow elections to go ahead in these districts.

Thousands vote in first Somali presidential polls
HARGEISA, 14 APRIL 2003-- Thousands of voters cast ballots Monday in the first multiparty presidential election since the Somaliland republic broke away from Somalia in 1991 to escape the violence and chaos that has beset the rest of the nation.The polls opened at 7 a.m. (0400 GMT) and were to close at 6 p.m. (1500 GMT) as voters chose between incumbent President Dahir Riyaleh Kahin and veteran politicians Faysal Ali Warabeh and Ahmed Mohamud Mohamed Silanyo.

The former British Somaliland, which joined with the Italian colony of Somalia in 1960 to form the Republic of Somalia, declared its independence in 1991 as civil war raged across much of the southern part of the country following the ouster of longtime dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.

Somalia has not had an effective central government since then.

In contrast to much of southern Somalia, which is ruled by heavily armed, clan-based factions that have carved the country into a patchwork of fiefdoms, Somaliland, with an estimated population of 2.5 million, has enjoyed relative peace, although it has failed to gain international recognition.

Voters of Somaliland go to polls full of hope
By Jean-Jacques Cornish
HARGEISA, 14 APRIL 2003 - Somaliland has taken a further step down the democratic road with a presidential election that is expected to be closely fought but peaceful.

South Africa has the largest observer team for this event, which was due to happen on Monday.

Dahir Riyale Kahan is asking his largely nomadic people to return him to the office he assumed when President Mohamed Egal died at 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria in May.
Peaceful voting underway in Somaliland's presidential poll
NAIROBI, 14 APRIL 2003 (IRIN) - Voters in the self-declared republic of Somaliland started casting their ballots in the breakaway region's first multi-party presidential elections on Monday.

The chairman of Somaliland's Electoral Commission Ahmed Haji Ali "Adami" told IRIN that voting was proceeding "very well" and there was a high turnout. Over a million Somalilanders are eligible to vote.

"Voting is very normal and very peaceful," he said.

He admitted however that there were problems in the disputed regions of Sool and Sanaag, where voting was proceeding normally in some districts, but in others "it is not going very well because of security reasons".

"There is no way that elections will take place in Sool and Sanaag," Isma'il Warsame, the chief of cabinet of Puntland's president, Col Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmad, told IRIN last week. He said the people of the area did not want the elections, so "their wishes must be respected".

Somaliland's incumbent president, Dahir Riyale Kahin of the UDUB party, faces a strong challenge from Ahmed Muhammad "Silaanyo" of the Kulmiye party and Faisal Ali "Warabe" of the Justice and Welfare party (UCID). Both opposition contenders have expressed concern that the polls may not be free and fair.

Although Somaliland is still to receive international recognition, foreign observers from the UK, the US, South Africa, Ethiopia and the European Union are monitoring the election.
END.